Public Policy

The Business News Headlines and More 16 November 2023

Welcome to the Thursday Edition of the Business News Headlines where workers at GM have ratified their new contract. That story kicks things off today.  Also, make sure you click through for some hyper-local Des Moines, Iowa news about a lack of funding for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus service. My guest is Erin Hockman as we talk about cutting service by 40% or finding alternative funding sources. It's a big story. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 
It's all over but the contract signing at GM;
Thousands of Starbucks workers walked off today;
The hot labor market is showing signs of cooling off;
Walmart said consumers cut back in late October;
RTO is a big thing but will your office be...big enough?
We're talking Taco Bell food today;
The Wall Street Report;
And, Amazon about to go big with online auto sales.
For the Interview you'll meet Erin Hockman from the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority who helps us better understand the possible 40% cut in bus service unless an alternate funding source can be put into place. This is something that is impactful to both employers and employees and a must listen segment. To hear our conversation click this link. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Funding Issues, DART and a 40% Cut in Service

One of the most impactful issues facing workers and employers is transportation. If a family doesn't own a reliable vehicle or if people don't want/need that expense their option if public transportation...get on the bus...Gus.  However a lack of funding has the Des Moines Area Transit Authority (DART) considering a 40% cut in service. Is there a solution?  Meet Erin Hockman the Chief External Affairs Officer for DART who shares not only the impact of a cut but also how we can fix the funding shortfall.  And, yes, you get a chance to weigh in on the proposed "franchise fee" increase at a number of public forums you can find here on the DART Website. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 15 November 2023

More economic data reports came out today and while some are making a big deal out of them we're a bit more skeptical.  It's the Wednesday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 15th day of November and we kick things off with your spending patterns for last month. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 
Consumer spending cools in October. We've got the number;
"Too close to call." Voting at GM plants for the new contract;
The Biden - Xi meeting today and what they said;
More mortgage demand this week and why;
Burger King to close more locations; what they say and what we think;
The Wall Street Report;
The economic of the Mouse House in Orlando is...huge.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 14 November 2023

Remember Monday when we said we would know more about the economy when the Labor Department issued their inflation report? Well, that happened early this morning and the report was a bit of a shock that shook Wall Street.  That story kicks off our newscast this afternoon. Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 
Inflation cooled and that caused some excitement;
What are the drivers of inflation backing down?
YouTube and AI generated content made the news;
Try selling medical marijuana in Mississippi with no advertising;
It's back! McDonald's borrows a page from Taco Bell's playbook;
The Wall Street Report;
Minnesota and Toys R Us made the news.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 13 November 2023

For those of you celebrating Diwali we wish you a wonderful Festival of Light.  Welcome to the Monday Edition of the Business News Headlines for this the 13th day of November. And, make sure you click through for the story of Adriana Aristizabal a former Columbian war correspondent who, after receiving death threats, came to the U.S. where she ultimately opened an international PR and Marketing firm. It's a great story.  Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you:  
A new pro-union rule goes into effect next month;
Non-Union automakers are raising wages and why;
That UAW agreement? Voted down at three plants;
Nepal bans TicTok and why;
The trucking system is in trouble and that is a problem;
Amazon has cut jobs yet again;
The Wall Street Report;
Key data points we'll be watching this week.
For the interview you'll meet Adriana Aristizabal who went from a media war correspondent to the founder of an international PR and marketing agency, iVoice Communications. It's a great story and along the way she'll offer up some solid advice for any business. To listen to that conversation, click this link. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines & More 9 November 2023

Things were going rather smooth on Wall Street until Jerome Powell uttered three words, "...we're not done".  He was talking about raising interest rates to combat inflation and that's where we start the newscast this evening. Meanwhile make sure you click ahead for the interview with entrepreneur Mike Wiles who has taken "How To" YouTube videos to the next level.  Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you: 
"We're not done" as the Central Bank talks rates;
The actors strike is over...now what?
President Biden does a victory lap in Illinois;
Consumer debt goes up the most with folks under 50;
The Wall Street Report;
Something dramatic to happen to the U.S. population.
For the interview you'll meet Mike Wiles a former radio guy, former big tractor guy who came up with the idea to do YouTube videos for town folk who buy small tractors for their acreage. Why? He learned that many of them didn't know how to safely operate their new $25,000 tractor. What he did next was take YouTube how-to videos to the next level. Click ahead to meet "Tractor Mike" and even if you don't do ag or live on an acreage...you are going to enjoy this conversation. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Mental Health Conference with Peggy Huppert

There is an important conference happening in Iowa and you are invited to attend. Here you will meet Peggy Huppert the Executive Director of NAMI-Iowa as we talk about their 2023 Annual Conference scheduled for Wednesday, November 8. So much attention has been focused on mental health issues over the past several years and this event is one not to miss. Also Peggy shares a bit of personal news toward the end of our conversation. Here's Peggy...
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines & More 27 October 2023

It's the end of a bruising week on Wall Street as the "blue chips" fell yet again.  We'll cover that and much more in this the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines. And, you are going to want to click through for a passionate conversation with the 2023 World Food Prize Laureate and founder of Roots of Peace a non-profit that works to rid the world of land mines and then reclaim the area for agriculture. It's an amazing story from Heidi Kuhn.  Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you:
Inflation Report and YOU are still spending;
It's been a wild year for Twitter; a quick review;
Legal issues for Abercrombie & Fitch;
Just why is it so tough to get a job? Some facts;
The Wall Street Report;
Food insecurity in the U.S. is growing.
Speaking of food our guest is Heidi Kuhn the 2023  World Food Prize Laureate and the founder of Roots of Peace. You're going to listen to a passionate woman who, for twenty-five years, has been working to rid the earth of unexploded bombs and land mines.  Once done her non-profit works with local farmers to reclaim the land and put it into production. That then gives these people a job and an income.  You've got to listen and to do that click on this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The 2023 World Food Prize Laureate - Heidi Kuhn

In May of this past year I was sitting down with former Ambassador Terry Branstad, who also served as the longest sitting governor in the history of the United States. He said to me that he would look for me in Washington, D.C. at the announcement for the 2023 World Food Prize Laureate. I mumbled something about another commitment. He put his hand on my arm and said, "I'd like you to be there."  I got the drift and attended. Fast forward to October and the world met Heidi Kuhn from Roots of Peace.  Here you will listen to her passionate effort to not only help save humanity but also her work to reclaim land that is riddled with unexploded bombs and mines. Something she has been doing for twenty-five years.  Listen...to her amazing story.  
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 26 October 2023

We kick off this evenings Business News Headlines with some hopeful signs that an end is near for the auto-strike. At least Ford has signed off on a tentative agreement with the UAW.  It would seem that when the union started to walk out of highly profitable factories...automakers were quick to notice. We shall see.  And, make sure you click through for a conversation with Ro Crosbie from Tero International...it's about asking...questions.  Also, if you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find  us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you:
The latest on the auto-strike;
The U.S. economic growth last quarter...WOW!
Atlanta and homeownership among black families;
Some food news...think chicken;
The Wall Street Report;
Consumers and Credit...you need to listen.
For the interview we're visiting with Ro Crosbie the Founder, President and CEO of Tero International. We're going to discuss the art of asking the right question at the correct moment and what that will do for your professional and personal life. Didn't think something this simple would be so powerful?  To listen to that conversation click this link.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.